Misael Launched: Baseball Moves Into GPAC First Place Tie After Sweep of Concordia

Doane Baseball entered Monday's doubleheader looking up in the conference standings as they took on first place Concordia. Following the conclusion of the two games, the Tigers were eye-to-eye with the Bulldogs for a three-way tie atop the GPAC standings with two weeks of play remaining.

After a come-from-behind win in game one, 6-4, the Tigers launched three home runs in the second game for a 9-2 victory. The wins snapped Concordia's nine-game win streak and moved Doane into a tie with Morningside and Concordia for first place at 15-5.

In game one, the Bulldogs jumped out early with two runs off starter Julian Vargas. The first three batters had reached base but Vargas was able to minimize the potential damage. Doane cut into the deficit with a run in the third inning without a hit. A two-base error put Brett Meyer on base and he came around to score on two groundouts.

Concordia was able to add to their lead in the top of the sixth following a leadoff walk. The Bulldogs stole a base, moved up on a fly ball and scored on a single. Doane got out of the inning on a double play.

The momentum carried over into the bottom of the inning for Doane. Jason Pridy opened the inning with a walk. Misael Cantu stepped to the play in a pinch hitting appearance and on the fourth pitch he saw, he smacked his first career home run to tie the game. The hit was also the first of the game for the Tigers.

Following a groundout, Joe Osborn doubled and the Bulldogs went to the bullpen. Lukas White reached on an error to put two runners on base. Tanner Black entered as a pinch runner for White and would score from first base on a Nate Mensik triple to take the lead. Justin Nevells followed with an RBI-single to give Doane a 6-3 lead.

Concordia was able to manufacture an unearned run in the seventh for the final score.

Vargas improved to 5-1 on the season by going 6.0 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Kyler Beekman earned his fifth save with 1.0 inning, allowing one unearned run on a walk.

Doane was held to four hits in the game, all in the sixth inning. Cantu and Mensik had two RBI.

In game two, the Tigers jumped out early with a solo home run by Osborn in the bottom of the first inning. Doane exploded for seven runs in the second inning to take an 8-0 lead.

Jack Tillman delivered an RBI-single to start the Tiger offensive attack. Osborn would deliver an RBI-single that was followed by White with a three-run double. Mensik capped the inning with a two-run home run.

Concordia posted a single run in the third and fourth innings on sacrifice flies.

Doane scored the final run of the game in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run by White.

Kaden Crawford threw 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out four. He improved to 6-3 on the year. Jake Johnson threw the final 2.2 innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out two.

Offensively, Doane had 12 hits in the game. Osborn was 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI while White was 3-for-4 with two runs and four RBI. Logan Amick added two hits as well in the game.

Doane will be back in action on Friday, April 21, with a 1 PM doubleheader against Northwestern. The games will be in Crete as part of an event-filled Friday afternoon on campus.